[[Image:MetlakoFalls.jpg|thumb|250px|Metlako Falls, from a short spur trail ''(Jeff Statt)'']]

{{Start point|Eagle Creek Trailhead}}

{{Start point|Eagle Creek Trailhead}}

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* End point: [[Punchbowl Falls]]

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* End point: [[Punch Bowl Falls]]

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* Trail Log: [[Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls Hike/Log|Trail Log]]

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* Trail Log: [[Eagle Creek to Punch Bowl Falls Hike/Log|Trail Log]]

* Hike Type: Out and Back

* Hike Type: Out and Back

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{{Distance|4 miles}} (round trip)

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{{Distance|3.8 miles}} (round trip)

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{{Elevation gain|400 feet}}

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{{Elevation gain|500 feet}}

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{{Difficulty|Easy}} to moderate

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{{Difficulty|Easy}}

* Seasons: Year round

* Seasons: Year round

* Backpackable: No

* Backpackable: No

Line 14:

Line 31:

* Family Friendly: Yes

* Family Friendly: Yes

** (only children 10 and up, due to cliffy sections of trail)

** (only children 10 and up, due to cliffy sections of trail)

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{{Hazards|f=y|p=y}}

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=== Falling Hazard ===

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Be careful with dogs or small children on the Eagle Creek trail. There is a steep cliff to one side of the trail. Maybe this isn't the best trail for dogs or small children.

=== Hike Description ===

=== Hike Description ===

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[[Image:EagleCreekTrail01.jpg|thumb|188px|Some areas may be a bit unsafe for small children ''(Jeff Statt)''|left]]

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<b><font color=red>NOTICE: This trail is closed until further notice because of damage from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Please check the list of [https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd574101.pdf Columbia Gorge trail closures] before you plan for a hike.</font color></b>

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Eagle Creek is the quintessential hike in the [[:Category:Columbia River Gorge|Columbia River Gorge]], boasting dozens of spectacular waterfalls, tall basalt cliffs, and the lush temperate rain forests that so characterize the Pacific Northwest. It is considered by many to be one of the most resplendent hiking destinations in the Northwest -- no doubt, essential fare for Portland-area outdoor lovers.

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Eagle Creek is the quintessential hike in the [[:Category:Columbia River Gorge|Columbia River Gorge]], boasting dozens of spectacular waterfalls, tall basalt cliffs, and the lush temperate rain forests that so characterize the Pacific Northwest. It is considered by many to be one of the most resplendent hiking destinations in the Northwest—no doubt, essential fare for Portland-area outdoor lovers.

What makes Eagle Creek even more popular is the number of ways one can enjoy it! There are options that can take 3 hours to 3 days depending on how far you go! In fact, one could literally hike to Mexico starting from the [[Eagle Creek Trailhead]], as it eventually intersects with the [[Pacific Crest-Eagle Creek Trail Junction|Pacific Crest Trail]] some 13 miles in. In fact, many PCT thru-hikers will choose to divert their usual course over the [[Benson Plateau]] to take in the splendid beauty of the Eagle Creek gorge.

What makes Eagle Creek even more popular is the number of ways one can enjoy it! There are options that can take 3 hours to 3 days depending on how far you go! In fact, one could literally hike to Mexico starting from the [[Eagle Creek Trailhead]], as it eventually intersects with the [[Pacific Crest-Eagle Creek Trail Junction|Pacific Crest Trail]] some 13 miles in. In fact, many PCT thru-hikers will choose to divert their usual course over the [[Benson Plateau]] to take in the splendid beauty of the Eagle Creek gorge.

Line 23:

Line 46:

Maybe as impressive as the Gorge itself, is the story of how it was built. It was created in the early 1900s as part of an effort to begin preserving parkland areas in the Columbia River Gorge, where industry was rapidly encroaching. In some sections, workers used dynamite to blast the trail into the side of the cliffs. Soon thousands of people could enjoy areas that were impossible to traverse otherwise. The original trail has remained nearly unchanged to this day.

Maybe as impressive as the Gorge itself, is the story of how it was built. It was created in the early 1900s as part of an effort to begin preserving parkland areas in the Columbia River Gorge, where industry was rapidly encroaching. In some sections, workers used dynamite to blast the trail into the side of the cliffs. Soon thousands of people could enjoy areas that were impossible to traverse otherwise. The original trail has remained nearly unchanged to this day.

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The '''Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls''' hike is one of the shorter options for taking in the beauty of the gorge, and perhaps is the most popular. Starting at the trailhead, you take the wide well-groomed trail along the creek for a stretch, then alternating in and out of a young deciduous forest before beginning to take on elevation.

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The Eagle Creek to Punch Bowl Falls hike is one of the shorter options for taking in the beauty of the gorge, and perhaps is the most popular. Starting at the trailhead, you take the wide well-groomed trail along the creek for a stretch, then alternating in and out of a young deciduous forest before beginning to take on elevation.

Before you've gone a half-mile you'll find yourself high above the creek, which has now opened up to a glorious valley. Many months the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the snow-encrusted cliff-sides towering around you. In places the trail is narrow and the drop-off is quite steep. Cable lines were built into the walls in sections to provide some stability.

Before you've gone a half-mile you'll find yourself high above the creek, which has now opened up to a glorious valley. Many months the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the snow-encrusted cliff-sides towering around you. In places the trail is narrow and the drop-off is quite steep. Cable lines were built into the walls in sections to provide some stability.

As the trail steadily gains elevation, it begins to divert away from the creek. You'll notice the quiet as you ascend away from the rushing water and deeper into the lush old-growth forests of douglas fir, cedar and hemlock. Dewy ferns, moss-covered rocks, and sometimes poison oak blanket the forest floor. You will be surprised at the beauty and quiet of these sections, which at times are like scenes from a fairy tale.

As the trail steadily gains elevation, it begins to divert away from the creek. You'll notice the quiet as you ascend away from the rushing water and deeper into the lush old-growth forests of douglas fir, cedar and hemlock. Dewy ferns, moss-covered rocks, and sometimes poison oak blanket the forest floor. You will be surprised at the beauty and quiet of these sections, which at times are like scenes from a fairy tale.

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Along the rest of the hike, you'll cross various side-creeks -- some by rock steps, many by footbridges. Be sure to look upstream as you pass by -- especially in the wetter months -- as you will be treated to waterfalls and more lush greenery.

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Along the rest of the hike, you'll cross various side-creeks—some by rock steps, many by footbridges. Be sure to look upstream as you pass by—especially in the wetter months—as you will be treated to waterfalls and more lush greenery.

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After you've walked about a mile and a half, watch for an obvious spur trail off to your right. The path drops down to an overlook with a view of the magnificent 100-foot [[Metlako Falls]], which seemingly shoots straight out of a cliffside into a large pool below.

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After you've walked about a mile and a half, watch for an obvious spur trail off to your right. The path drops down to an overlook with a view of the magnificent 100-foot [[Metlako Falls]], which seemingly shoots straight out of a cliffside into a large pool below. <b><font color = red>NOTICE: The spur trail to the Metlako Falls Overlook is closed as of January 2017. The Overlook has collapsed into the gorge and there is no safe spot to view the falls.</font></b>

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Walk back up the spur trail to the main drag and continue southward, winding high away from the gorge with the creek well out of view. In just over a half-mile you'll be at an obvious, signed junction and resting spot near your destination, [[Punchbowl Falls]].

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Walk back up the spur trail to the main drag and continue southward, winding high away from the gorge with the creek well out of view. In just over a half-mile you'll be at an obvious, signed junction and resting spot near your destination, [[Punch Bowl Falls]].

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[[Image:MetlakoFalls.jpg|thumb|250px|Metlako Falls, from a short spur trail ''(Jeff Statt)'']]

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You can choose to take a spur trail down and to your right, or continue forward about 1/4 mile to the Punch Bowl Falls Overlook. The spur trail takes you down about 300 feet in a 1/4 mile. At the bottom of the steep hill, the improved trail ends at [[Lower Punch Bowl Falls]]. Hikers can work their way up the wide open, rocky shoreline to a view of [[Punch Bowl Falls]] about a hundred yards from the falls. In the summer months, this can be a crowded area, but given the right weekday in the off-season, this is a enchanted, quaint setting as you gaze upstream admiring the gushes of water blasting their way out the chasm.

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You can choose to take a spur trail down and to your right, or continue forward about 1/4 mile to the Punchbowl Falls overlook. The spur trail takes you down about 300 feet in a 1/4 mile. At the bottom of the steep hill, the improved trail ends at [[Lower Punchbowl Falls]]. Hikers can work their way up the wide open, rocky shoreline to a view of [[Punchbowl Falls]] about a hundred yards from the falls. In the summer months, this can be a crowded area, but given the right weekday in the off-season, this is a enchanted, quaint setting as you gaze upstream admiring the gushes of water blasting their way out the chasm.

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Should you choose to continue on, the overlook gives you a great vantage point of the falls from above. You'll look straight down to the rushing waters and magnificent deep, pool below. You may recognize this viewpoint from photos and postcards. Please stay inside the guardrails. Every year, there is some story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves.

Should you choose to continue on, the overlook gives you a great vantage point of the falls from above. You'll look straight down to the rushing waters and magnificent deep, pool below. You may recognize this viewpoint from photos and postcards. Please stay inside the guardrails. Every year, there is some story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves.

Latest revision as of 03:25, 4 January 2019

This page is marked as a Closed Trail. Some or all of this hike has been closed by a governing body and hikers may be liable for fines or even arrest. The trail may be dangerous and hard to follow or it may cross areas with sensitive plant life or wildlife habitat. OregonHikers.org does not endorse or recommend hiking this route. The information is presented for historical and possible future use only.

Contents

Falling Hazard

Be careful with dogs or small children on the Eagle Creek trail. There is a steep cliff to one side of the trail. Maybe this isn't the best trail for dogs or small children.

Hike Description

NOTICE: This trail is closed until further notice because of damage from the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Please check the list of Columbia Gorge trail closures before you plan for a hike.

Eagle Creek is the quintessential hike in the Columbia River Gorge, boasting dozens of spectacular waterfalls, tall basalt cliffs, and the lush temperate rain forests that so characterize the Pacific Northwest. It is considered by many to be one of the most resplendent hiking destinations in the Northwest—no doubt, essential fare for Portland-area outdoor lovers.

What makes Eagle Creek even more popular is the number of ways one can enjoy it! There are options that can take 3 hours to 3 days depending on how far you go! In fact, one could literally hike to Mexico starting from the Eagle Creek Trailhead, as it eventually intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail some 13 miles in. In fact, many PCT thru-hikers will choose to divert their usual course over the Benson Plateau to take in the splendid beauty of the Eagle Creek gorge.

Maybe as impressive as the Gorge itself, is the story of how it was built. It was created in the early 1900s as part of an effort to begin preserving parkland areas in the Columbia River Gorge, where industry was rapidly encroaching. In some sections, workers used dynamite to blast the trail into the side of the cliffs. Soon thousands of people could enjoy areas that were impossible to traverse otherwise. The original trail has remained nearly unchanged to this day.

The Eagle Creek to Punch Bowl Falls hike is one of the shorter options for taking in the beauty of the gorge, and perhaps is the most popular. Starting at the trailhead, you take the wide well-groomed trail along the creek for a stretch, then alternating in and out of a young deciduous forest before beginning to take on elevation.

Before you've gone a half-mile you'll find yourself high above the creek, which has now opened up to a glorious valley. Many months the fog hangs low in the canyon, blocking your view of the snow-encrusted cliff-sides towering around you. In places the trail is narrow and the drop-off is quite steep. Cable lines were built into the walls in sections to provide some stability.

As the trail steadily gains elevation, it begins to divert away from the creek. You'll notice the quiet as you ascend away from the rushing water and deeper into the lush old-growth forests of douglas fir, cedar and hemlock. Dewy ferns, moss-covered rocks, and sometimes poison oak blanket the forest floor. You will be surprised at the beauty and quiet of these sections, which at times are like scenes from a fairy tale.

Along the rest of the hike, you'll cross various side-creeks—some by rock steps, many by footbridges. Be sure to look upstream as you pass by—especially in the wetter months—as you will be treated to waterfalls and more lush greenery.

After you've walked about a mile and a half, watch for an obvious spur trail off to your right. The path drops down to an overlook with a view of the magnificent 100-foot Metlako Falls, which seemingly shoots straight out of a cliffside into a large pool below. NOTICE: The spur trail to the Metlako Falls Overlook is closed as of January 2017. The Overlook has collapsed into the gorge and there is no safe spot to view the falls.

Walk back up the spur trail to the main drag and continue southward, winding high away from the gorge with the creek well out of view. In just over a half-mile you'll be at an obvious, signed junction and resting spot near your destination, Punch Bowl Falls.

You can choose to take a spur trail down and to your right, or continue forward about 1/4 mile to the Punch Bowl Falls Overlook. The spur trail takes you down about 300 feet in a 1/4 mile. At the bottom of the steep hill, the improved trail ends at Lower Punch Bowl Falls. Hikers can work their way up the wide open, rocky shoreline to a view of Punch Bowl Falls about a hundred yards from the falls. In the summer months, this can be a crowded area, but given the right weekday in the off-season, this is a enchanted, quaint setting as you gaze upstream admiring the gushes of water blasting their way out the chasm.

Should you choose to continue on, the overlook gives you a great vantage point of the falls from above. You'll look straight down to the rushing waters and magnificent deep, pool below. You may recognize this viewpoint from photos and postcards. Please stay inside the guardrails. Every year, there is some story about someone falling from this spot and injuring themselves.

From this point you can turn around and head back the way you came. Should you still have energy and want to continue on, there is a lot more to see, including Loowit Falls, High Bridge and Tunnel Falls.

Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. All content posted on the field guide becomes the property of Trailkeepers of Oregon, and may not be used without permission.